Historic tram shed to showcase university students’ art

A building in Derby city centre restored by Clowes Developments is set to stage a major exhibition of work by University of Derby art students.

On Friday 26 May Derby Tram Shed, in St James Street, will stage the ‘Liminal Motel’ exhibition, which will present an eclectic display of art ranging from live performance, sculpture, drawing, paintings and video projections.

The exhibition, which will run until Saturday 3 June, will feature work by second year fine art students.

Clowes Developments has sympathetically restored the Tram Shed, which many years ago were used as stables for the old St James Hotel.

The 8,000 sq ft building has been restored with a nod to its heritage with the works to date costing £1.3 million.

Management surveyor Gillian Minogue said: “We are delighted the second-year fine art exhibition is coming to the Tram Shed and we look forward to welcoming all the students and visitors.

“It is fantastic to have such a progressive and interesting project in the centre of Derby.

“The university is very much part of the wider Derby community, and we are always keen at Clowes to encourage and embrace projects such as this and support young talent wherever possible.”

Caroline Locke, associate professor of interdisciplinary art at the University of Derby, said: “By bringing the students directly into the city centre and exhibiting at the Tram Shed, we hope to reach a broad audience.

“This is an experience the students will really value as they learn what it takes to put on a professional show.

“The Tram Shed is part of Derby’s history. It is a brilliant, large, empty space which serves as an ambitious challenge for our students in terms of staging their first public exhibition.

“With an industrial feel, high ceilings and exposed walls, it is an impressive space for an impressive show.

“This is the perfect opportunity to introduce young artists to the processes involved in setting up an ambitious exhibition of their work away from the university campus.

The exhibition will launch at 5.30pm on Friday 26 May. It will then be open from 12noon to 4pm on 27 and 28 May and 2pm to 4pm on 1, 2, 3 June.